College Series: Assistance and Accomidations

Welcome back to my College Student Blog Series. Last week we discussed a variety of resources available to help autistic adults succeed in college. Today, we will discuss accommodations and assistance available for autistic college students.

One of the most common things I hear young adults on the spectrum say when going to college is: “I just want to be normal’, “I want to fit in”, and “I don’t want to use the disability services center because I don’t want to stand out”. So much of what drives this decision is a feeling of shame. This makes me very sad. The one thing I hope to accomplish with my neurodiverse support groups is increasing a sense of pride in neurodiversity.

The Problem with IEP: Stigma for Autistic Students

Many college-bound students on the autism spectrum had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in high school. An IEP for high school students with autism is designed to help them reach their full academic potential. First, the student’s needs are identified. Then, accommodations are put in place to support the student’s needs.

Some accommodations are more obvious to classmates than others. For instance, an autistic student who is sensitive to noise may use noise cancellation headphones in class. Or, a student who needs academic assistance may have an aide in their classes. Having large headphones or having an aide come up to you in class, may make you feel like you stand out. You may be worried that your peers will label you as “different”.

When their needs or autistic traits are move obvious, their less-sensitive peers may experience bullying. As a result, when autistic students transition to college, many just want to fit in and not be noticed. Unfortunately, this may cause them to struggle academically. At the college level, a student is responsible for their own academic performance.

College and High School Systems are Different: Self-Advocacy Matters

The main difference between high school and college for students on the autism spectrum is that IEPs do not exist on the college level. Also, the instructors do not get to know every student they teach, especially in large lectures. They will not know if you have autism or you are struggling in their class. You will have to reach out to them for support. Many students’ old fears of standing out from their neurotypical peers keep them from advocating for their needs.

Professors can’t help students if they don’t know you need help

For a professor to acknowledge and support accommodations, the college student with ASD has to actually hand the professor a letter from the student disability center. A student has to advocate for their needs and take initiative to get support. We discuss and practice the best ways to get support in the College Transition Group at Open Doors therapy.

Focus on you. Don’t worry about anyone else.

College is so different from high school. Everyone in class is self-absorbed and focused on their work. They are not paying attention to the students around them. Most college students don’t even notice when their peers have accommodations in class. College instructors will not discuss individual accommodations with anyone other than the person who is receiving the accommodation, and the office organizing the assistance. No one else needs to know about your accommodations unless you choose to tell them. So utilize this resource. These caring professionals have your best interests at heart and want you to succeed. You deserve to do well!

Stay Connected With Open Doors Therapy

Thanks for reading this blog about accommodations and assistance for neurodiverse college students. I hope it will empower you to seek out accommodations from your college. If you feel like this blog series is helpful for you or someone you know, I encourage you to join our autism support community at Open Doors Therapy.

Here are three simple ways to stay in touch with my Silicon Valley/ Bay Area autism counseling clinic:

Schedule a free 30-minute phone consultation using this link.
Like me on Facebook and stay informed about our autism services.
Sign up to receive my newsletter for news and information on Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Other Autism Services at Open Doors Therapy

Our Palo Alto/Bay Area autism therapy clinic serves individuals who have autistic traits. This includes individuals who identify as having Asperger’s, high functioning autism, undiagnosed autism traits, etc. and their families. We are proud to offer a variety of counseling services including individual counseling for autistic teens and adults, parent counseling, and group therapy. Additionally, our therapists facilitate several different social skills groups for neurodiverse working professionals, college students with autistic traits , gifted youth & caregivers , autistic adults, women who identify as neurodiverse, a summer social skills college transition training program for youth transitioning to college, teens & caregivers, and a mothers group. Contact our office and schedule a free consultation.

About the Author

Dr. Tasha Oswald is a trained developmental and clinical psychologist. She is the founder and director of Open Doors Therapy, a private practice in Palo Alto, near San Francisco, CA. She specializes in working with teens and adults on the autism spectrum and facilitating social skills groups.

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College Student Series: Accommodations and Assistance for Autistic College Students